Charlotte Hornets Blog – Page 35 – NBA Blog

Bobcats exercise contract options on Bismack Biyombo, Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has exercised its fourth-year options on forward/center Bismack Biyombo and guard Kemba Walker, as well as the third-year option on forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

“We are excited to keep these three up-and-coming players as part of our core for another season,” Higgins said. “We have been very pleased with their development over their careers so far and look forward to seeing them continue to grow both in the season that is just starting and in 2014-15.”

The seventh overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Biyombo has played in 144 career games for the Bobcats, averaging 5.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 25.5 minutes. Biyombo, who is already third on the team’s career blocked shot list (258), ranked eighth in the NBA in blocked shots as a rookie in 2011-12 (1.8) and ninth in 2012-13 (1.8). He has led the Bobcats in both rebounding and blocks in each of his two seasons, setting a franchise single-season record with 44 multiple-block games last season.

The ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Walker has played in 149 straight games since joining the Bobcats, with averages of 15.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 31.4 minutes. In 2012-13, he was one of five players in the NBA to lead his team in scoring (17.7), assists (5.7) and steals (2.0). Walker ranked fifth in the league in steals per game and set the franchise single-season record for steals with 160. He has participated in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend in each of his two NBA seasons.

The second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Kidd-Gilchrist earned Second Team All-Rookie honors last season after averaging 9.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 78 games played. In addition to being named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for November 2012, he was also selected to participate in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend. Kidd-Gilchrist posted a pair of games with 25 points and 12 rebounds, joining LeBron James as the only players to record two such games prior to their 20th birthday.

Sounds like Al Jefferson should be back fairly soon for Bobcats

The big addition to the Charlotte Bobcats is Al Jefferson, but the center is still healing, and questionable to start the season. The good news is, it sounds like if he doesn’t play the opener, he should be on the court relatively soon. Here’s the Charlotte Observer:

While Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson is still optimistic he’ll play in Wednesday’s season opener in Houston, the team is listing him as questionable with a sprained right ankle.

Jefferson was hurt early in the preseason when he stepped on the foot of Miami Heat center Chris Bosh and landed awkwardly. He participated in most, but not all, of Monday’s practice after sitting out nearly three weeks.

“He did some contact, some 5-on-5, but not everything,” coach Steve Clifford said.

Jefferson said “in my head” he’s ready to play Wednesday against perennial All-Star Dwight Howard, whom the Rockets signed during the summer.

Charlotte Bobcats waive Patrick O`Bryant

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has waived center Patrick O’Bryant. The Bobcats roster now stands at 16 players.

A 7-0 center, O’Bryant was initially selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. He appeared in one preseason game with the Bobcats, scoring two points and grabbing five rebounds.

Charlotte Bobcats will host free open practice on October 23

The Charlotte Bobcats will host an open practice on October 23 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Time Warner Cable Arena. This free event is open to the public and fans in attendance will have the opportunity to receive autographs from players, coaches and the Lady Cats at the conclusion of the event. Official team merchandise will be available, concession stands will be open and various entertainment elements will be on display in the main concourse. During the event, one lucky fan will win an exclusive behind the scenes game day opportunity hosted by Bobcats Head Coach Steve Clifford.

“As we prepare for the upcoming season, this is a great opportunity to showcase our basketball team to the fans,” Bobcats Sports & Entertainment President & COO Fred Whitfield said. “The support for our organization has been tremendous, and we are looking forward to that continued loyalty throughout this year as we make Time Warner Cable Arena one of the best home court atmospheres in the NBA.”

Bobcats: Al Jefferson suffers ankle sprain

Bobcats center Al Jefferson suffers sprained right ankle

Relatively good news for the Charlotte Bobcats: An injury to center Al Jefferson that looked like it had potential for seriousness turned out to be fairly minor.

Jefferson suffered a sprained right ankle in the second half of last night’s preseason game vs. Miami. X-rays taken at the arena proved to be normal.

As a precaution, Jefferson is expected to be in a walking boot for several days in an effort to contain the swelling and not put any pressure on the joint. Once out of the walking boot, he will be re-evaluated and will begin the rehab process.

Bobcats center Brendan Haywood to miss at least 12 weeks

The Charlotte Bobcats just lost some depth at the center spot.

The team announced today that center Brendan Haywood is expected to miss at least 12 weeks after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot that will require surgery.

An MRI and CT scan yesterday ordered by foot specialist Dr. Bob Anderson revealed the stress fracture in the navicular bone. Haywood will undergo surgery next week to place two screws in the bone to reinforce the stress fracture and help it to heal. Following 12 weeks of immobilization, he will undergo a follow-up CT scan to determine his return to normal activities.

Bobcats add Troy Daniels, Abdul Gaddy, Patrick O’Bryant to training camp

Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today the team has signed free agent guards Troy Daniels and Abdul Gaddy and center Patrick O’Bryant to its training camp roster.

A 7-0 center, O’Bryant was initially selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. He has appeared in 90 career NBA games over four seasons for the Warriors, Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors, averaging 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.8 minutes.

A 6-4 guard, Daniels went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft. He appeared in five games for the Bobcats Summer League team in Las Vegas, averaging 5.4 points and 1.0 rebound in 14.3 minutes. As a senior at Virginia Commonwealth last season, he averaged 12.3 points and 3.1 rebounds, while setting a school single-season record for three-point field goals (124).

A 6-3 guard, Gaddy went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft. He appeared in three games for the Bobcats Summer League team in Las Vegas, averaging 6.0 points and 2.7 assists in 14.0 minutes. As a senior at Washington last season, he averaged 10.9 points, 4.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds.

The training camp roster now stands at 18.

Al Jefferson looking to turn Bobcats around

Thursday morning 15 or so players were in the practice gym doing 3-on-3 drills with the new coaching staff.

Center Al Jefferson, the most significant off-season acquisition, says he’s never seen anything like this in nine previous NBA seasons.

“A lot of veterans might choose not to, but they’re here. We’re getting together and getting to know one another,” Jefferson said.

“I told Kemba (Walker) when I first signed that I’m not coming here to lose. I’m coming here to turn things around,” Jefferson added. “I think (the seriousness of purpose) started with me. If I’m here in September, everyone should be. If Ben Gordon is here, same thing. If Brendan Haywood, a guy who already won a championship (with the Dallas Mavericks) is here, everybody should be here. That’s the way we look at it.”

Reported by Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer

Al Jefferson now the prime offensive weapon for Bobcats

Steve Clifford, never before an NBA head coach, is on the clock to fix the Charlotte Bobcats.

He’ll run his first-ever training camp at UNC Asheville starting Oct. 1. There’s some uncertainty, with the players new to him and some of them new to each other. But the roster has been improved, particularly with the additions of center Al Jefferson and rookie forward Cody Zeller.

Al Jefferson now the prime offensive weapon for Bobcats

Clifford says Jefferson instantly becomes the Bobcats’ best offensive weapon, a scoring big man teams will have no choice but to double-team in the post. The Bobcats haven’t had that type and quality of scorer before, and it’s Clifford’s job to find efficient ways to get him the ball. It’s also the coach’s charge to teach the other Bobcats how best to play off Jefferson, to punish defenses for helping on Jefferson.

Clifford is excited both by Jefferson’s track record and Zeller’s potential. And he sees a breakthrough season for second-year pro Jeff Taylor.

Reported by Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats will return to UNC Asheville for training camp

Bobcats Sports & Entertainment announced today that the Charlotte Bobcats will return to UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena for their training camps in 2013 and 2014. This year’s training camp will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Prior to training camp, the team will hold Media Day on Monday, Sept. 30, at Time Warner Cable Arena.

“We had great success with our training camp at UNC Asheville last year,” said Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins. “As we anticipated, it was a perfect venue for us, and we are excited to have the opportunity to go back to Kimmel Arena this season and next season.”

Kimmel Arena, which opened in November 2011, is home to the UNC Asheville Bulldogs men’s and women’s basketball teams. The arena is located in the Wilma M. Sherrill Center and has a capacity of over 3,200 for basketball. The multipurpose facility has hosted over 100,000 guests since its opening, and offers the modern amenities fans, players, and coaches expect, including wide concourses with views of the court, large video boards, intimate and comfortable seating and outstanding training facilities.